Aug 9, 2006

The rift between Tun Mahathir and PM Abdullah Badawi is really gaining momentum and even foreign media started to cover the latest happenings.

Extracted from BBC NewsMalaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad says he plans to produce evidence of corruption against the current government.

It is the latest in a series of attacks by Dr Mahathir that some see as an attempt to undermine his hand-picked successor, Abdullah Badawi.

Dr Mahathir promised not to interfere when he retired three years ago.

But the partial dismantling of his legacy by the man he chose to succeed him seems to have proved too much.

Abdullah Badawi had already called back major contracts handed out by Dr Mahathir to his allies and eased the former prime minister out of an advisory position at Proton - the struggling national carmaker.

But his decision to cancel Dr Mahathir's controversial plans for a new bridge to Singapore appears to have been the final straw.

For months Mr Abdullah kept his council in the face of sustained attacks from his predecessor.

But this week, the prime minister broke his silence, denying charges of nepotism and claims that his son-in-law decided government policy.

Now Dr Mahathir is hinting that he will present proof of corruption within government.

If convincing evidence emerges, it could be a heavy blow for Mr Abdullah, who is widely seen as one of the cleanest politicians of his generation.

Dr Mahathir's critics accuse him of presiding over a collapse of standards in Malaysian public life during 22 years in power.